New here? Read This before You Begin
 

New Here? March 15, 2022: "So You Just Bought An E60" is at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Eu2...ew?usp=sharing

I fixed the link that had died. Jay Arras invited me over here to publish the attached doc. The latest Version of "So You Just Bought an E60" will always reside at the link below. Note that new items (but not typos and so forth) will be highlighted in grey in new editions. This doc has evolved since 2013, and has had more than 30 versions. It's not perfect, and a bit messy, but there's a lot of useful information in here. Been downloaded 35,000 times.

BUT FIRST, if you want a useful answer from the membership:

1. Include the year, model, mileage, systems that appear to be a problem. All these make a big difference in your answer.
2. Include the BMW module codes and indicators that were displayed. You MUST use a BMW compatible code reader. What you get on a "standard" OBD code reader is mostly useless. Just don't use one. Use Protool, or Carly, or INPA, or ISTA+ for your code data -- there are other good ones, but these are the most commonly used BMW compatible readers/software.
3. Describe your problem thoughtfully. What happened? What have you done already? Any expert opinions from experienced mechanics?
4. Be articulate: use punctuation and complete sentences, because no one wants to decode incomprehensible descriptions. If English is not your primary language and causes you difficulty, just say so and people will work harder to understand you.

Thanks to all for finding typos etc. Please comment if you have additional ideas.

Goal is to summarize most of the issues and comments for the new, less experienced E60 owners or potential buyers who are showing up.

Work in process, and it will get additions/changes. Edited versions will always appear in this message.

Thanks to the many contributors for corrections and guidance.

Glad to help out 5Series.net as we've been helping E60 owners on Bimmerfest. We hope it helps you as well.

The latest version of "So You Just Bought..." will always reside here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Eu2...ew?usp=sharing

In the event the sharelink doesn't work, the latest is attached below as well.

-----------------------------------------
ZF Fluid: And, since it's a critical difference between what ZF and BMW say, here's a link to the ZF fluid change procedure and schedule. Hint: it's a whole lot less than BMW's "lifetime" (or 100Kmiles) nonsense.

Thanks for posting this, banglenot! :twoup:

Thanks for this!

I just got my E60 a couple weeks ago. I'm trying to learn as much as I can about the car and it's maintenance, performance, etc. Looking forward to checking out what the forum has to offer.

https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...dbb4979213.jpg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/5series...6f6dacb1ba.jpg

Useful Files
 

Here's a group of really useful files for those wanting to understand their E60's ops.

This data is for various models, release levels and years. It may not apply to your vehicle.

Provided for educational purposes only.

You use any file information provided at your own risk.

And some more.
The more you learn about the car, the better you can manage it.

And some ISTA, INPA and ZF stuff

Link dead
 

Apparently the link provided for "So you just bought an E60" no longer works.

Thanks. The link works on other sites, but not here. I've attached the link doc as a file.

Hello

great file very informative and a really big effort ... thanks a lot
just want to point out that the link
bmwmotorsports.org -&nbspThis website is for sale! -&nbspbmwmotorsports Resources and Information.
is not working
also I couldn’t reach the e60 wiki at the top of bimmerfest e60 forum, I went with the link but couldn’t find it

thanks again, greetings

Both of those links are beyond our control. Sorry.